What’s with all these national media types? Their shallow assessment of the Washington Redskins’ 2011 prospects begin and end with the quarterback question. Scouts Inc., via ESPN The Magazine, is the latest to condemn the Redskins to a three-win season. Other sites project the ‘Skins to win two games.
I thought shallow writing was my job!
You won’t see a Washington writer or blogger call for that poor a performance even with all the changes on the team. The only national writer who has looked deeper at at Washington is, ironically, ESPN’s own NFC East blogger, Dan Graziano, who writes:
“I’m just not seeing 3-13. I think they’re better than that. I think the defense is greatly improved over a year ago. I think it’s underestimating the impact Ryan Kerrigan and Barry Cofield can have on the pass rush. I think it’s underestimating Tim Hightower’s understanding of Mike Shanahan’s one-cut philosophy. And while I can understand all the questions about John Beck and the passing-game personnel, I think people are overrating the extent of the downgrade from last year. Donovan McNabb played horribly for Washington last year. Beck doesn’t have to be an upgrade over 2006 Donovan McNabb. He has to be an upgrade over 2010 Donovan McNabb….”
Thank you, Dan Graziano, for bringing some balance to the discussion. We’ve seen enough of the Redskins this preseason to know this one great truth: they don’t suck.
A .667 preseason win record does not presage a .667 regular season win record. Preseason records do not tell you anything. Job One for Washington’s and Tampa Bay’s coaching staffs tomorrow night is to avoid injuries. That will flavor how they call the game and who plays. What I and perhaps Graziano like about the ‘Skins preseason performance is the efficiency as measured by things like yards-per-pass-attempt and average-yards-per-rush.
The Redskins pass the eyeball test, too. The offensive line appear to be jelling. The defensive front-seven brings more heat. The slash and burn running attack is what we saw in Mike Shanahan’s better teams in Denver. That’s what Graziano alludes to.
Not saying the Redskins will take the division. But a team that overlooks them is is playing with fire.
So get ready for all those stories to come about how shockingly well the ‘Skins are doing and how that cements Shanahan’s Hall of Fame claim. If John Beck turns out to be a top five quarterback, they will just want to vote in Shanny now, all while saying “I knew it all along.”
Hog Heaven’s official season forecast next week after the final roster cuts.
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